A new network launching this October is set to bring Greater Manchester’s food and drink manufacturers together to trade insights, forge international routes to market and showcase the innovation driving one of the region’s most important sectors.

The Greater Manchester Food and Drink Network, a semi-annual initiative from GM Business Growth Hub, will hold its launch event in Wigan, inviting manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector’s future while supporting collaboration, innovation and international growth.

Packaging as a growth lever

Keynote speaker Mark Holmes, managing director/general manager at Smurfit Westrock, will open proceedings by examining the strategic role packaging plays in modern manufacturing, from enhancing customer experience to strengthening brand value and improving operational efficiency.

“Packaging is not simply about wrapping a product. It is a core element of branding and shapes customer perception. Good packaging communicates your brand value and pushes sales,” Holmes said. “The manufacturers we work with often want a strategic approach for their packaging that can perform multiple functions, from protecting and storing goods in a cost-effective way but also influence purchasing decisions and promote their brand. I’m looking forward to sharing practical examples of how businesses can unlock greater value through smarter packaging decisions.”

A niche built for scale

Also speaking is Tom Fletcher, managing director of Firstplay Dietary Foods, a fast-growing family-owned manufacturer that has built its competitive advantage by specialising in a niche market. Attendees will hear how a focused growth strategy has shaped the company’s journey of sustained success, and what that trajectory means for businesses preparing to look beyond the UK.

Doors open to Australia

International growth runs as a core theme through the event. Dan Helm, operations manager at Australian importer British Provender and the UK Government’s Food and Drink Trade Champion in Australia, will share practical insight into market opportunities, routes to entry, and the food, labelling and import regulations UK manufacturers need to navigate. Delegates can book a 1:1 session with Helm on the day, alongside specialists from GM Business Growth Hub, GM Chamber of Commerce and the British Consulate General Brisbane.

Beyond the keynotes, selected businesses will have the opportunity to pitch their products, services and innovations to fellow delegates, while an interactive workshop will offer practical approaches attendees can implement immediately.

Platform 

Janine Smith, director of GM Business Growth Hub, framed the network as a long-term platform rather than a one-off event. “We’ve launched this network with the clear ambition that it becomes a catalyst for collaboration, innovation and increased exports for one the Greater Manchester’s most important sectors,” she said. “This region is home to exceptional food and drink producers, and the Greater Manchester Food and Drink Network has been created to help bring that community together. By connecting these companies with industry leaders, business support and international trade specialists, we’re creating a forum where everyone can discuss innovative ideas, build valuable relationships and discover the upcoming opportunities for growth.”

For a sector navigating rising costs, tighter margins and growing pressure to diversify export markets, the combination of practical packaging expertise, a peer success story in niche specialisation, and direct access to Australian trade routes gives manufacturers a rare single-day route into several growth levers at once. Whether that translates into measurable export gains will depend on turnout and follow-through — but as a first outing for a semi-annual forum, the agenda signals clear intent.

The launch event takes place on Tuesday 13 October 2026, 8:45am–2:00pm, in Wigan. Further details and registration are available via the GM Business Growth Hub website.